Suddenly, mid-size cities were undertaking investigations normally associated with federal task forces or huge police agencies such as the Los Angeles Police Department. By February, he was dealing guns, officials said. In addition to meth and heroin, agents seized fentanyl pills, 15 guns and about $25,000 in cash. A Vandergrift man who police say attempted to flee from authorities was arrested Tuesday afternoon on charges of having suspected heroin and other narcotics. STATE CASH RECEIVED VALUE OF PROPERTY TOTAL CALIFORNIA $39.9 million $7.5 million $47.4 million TEXAS $8.7 million $1.9 million $10.6 million NEW YORK $8.9 million $1.9 million $10.8 million NORTH CAROLINA $2.8 million $3.2 million $6 million FLORIDA* $1.7 million $1.9 million $3.6 million. Consequently, police arrested 10 people. But Maldonado began running afoul of the law while he was still in his teens. IE 11 is not supported. 1910 River Rd Unit 3. Prosecutors dismissed three of the charges when she pleaded guilty in March 2022 to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Prosecutors dismissed two drug distribution charges and a gun possession charge when Espinoza pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Salt Lake City resident Victor Jurado pleaded guilty in February 2022 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. February 11, 2022 February 11, 2022 akvnews. What kind of money? Linda Rose Garcia, of Salt Lake City, pleaded guilty in October 2021 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Maldonado is wanted on two felony charges unlawful distribution of more than 225 grams of a controlled substance and introducing that substance into the state of Colorado. Mike Messina drove one of the hottest police cars anywhere. By Tyisha Fernandes, WSB-TV July 11, 2020 at 8:44 am EDT. Investigators said in 2021 that 27 people were indicted, but federal court records list only 26. The newcomer team, by contrast, had been tailing the suspect for only part of that day after buying 2 kilograms of cocaine from him, he said. Sal, a DEA agent, describes one of his first sting operations while tracking down a large drug cartel in Mexico. Subscribe: http://bit.ly/NatGeoSubscribeGet More National Geographic:Official Site: http://bit.ly/NatGeoOfficialSiteFacebook: http://bit.ly/FBNatGeoTwitter: http://bit.ly/NatGeoTwitterInstagram: http://bit.ly/NatGeoInstaTikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@natgeoTenor: http://on.natgeo.com/31b3KocAbout National Geographic:National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure. Jerry Moore, 61, of Custer Avenue was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia, driving with a suspended license, two counts of possession of controlled substances and two counts of possession with intent to deliver. In that case, Simi Valleys four narcotics officers joined forces with two federal drug agents and six LAPD officers to investigate suspected Colombian cocaine traffickers in La Puente and several surrounding cities. The investigations often test not only the wits of the roving police squads, but also their diplomacy. His trial is set to start on March 13. About the same time, other small and mid-size police departments in the Los Angeles area similarly were finding that such drug squads make sense--and dollars. ( 1) Arc Manor Addiction Recovery Center. Anthony "Lil Ace" James Runion, of Salt Lake City, was also charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Along with sports cars, they have seized big-rig trucks, homes, jewelry, electronic recording equipment and millions of dollars in cash. He was sentenced on Oct. 18, 2022, to 12 years in prison and five years of supervised release. Moore attempted to run but was quickly subdued, according to Rigatti. Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) - A four-year investigation by state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies culminated in a series of raids at 23 properties to bust a drug trafficking ring led by . Vandergrift police Officer Nate Rigatti said he, Westmoreland County Detective John Clark and state parole agent Patty Joe Misho were going to Moores house to serve a search warrant just after 4 p.m. Tuesday when they spotted him driving in a nearby alley. Before such laws, the Franchise Tax Board was the sole state agency able to claim seized property--and then only for unpaid taxes. Overdose deaths have also spiked in Indiana, where the fentanyl from the Colorado bust was apparently headed. Listed below are some of the Los Angeles-area police departments that have specialized squads of officers who concentrate on investigations of high-level dealers, often going beyond their cities borders to make arrests and seize drugs. ARKANSAS, USA Arkansas authorities have completed a drug bust that resulted in more than $55 million in various drugs, 1,200 different arrests, and the recovery of hundreds of firearms.. Vandergrift has 55 residental and 182 outpatient treatment centers within 100 miles of the city center. He was a member of the West Liberty High School varsity football team for at least one season, according to the high school sports website Max Preps. Its taken us a while to gear up, Cates said. Due to the sensitive nature of our investigation, we are unable to provide any additional information at this time to prevent compromising any aspect of our case, the agency said in a statement. Please see our Commenting Policy for more. The Mystery of the $200 Million Drug Bust | The War on Drugs VICE 16.6M subscribers Subscribe 22K Share 2.1M views 1 year ago This is the story of how the biggest cash bust in the history of. Cruz and his gang, investigators found, would regularly make large-scale narcotics sales in the $10,000-$16,000 range. Salt Lake City resident Patrice Raelynn Estes was charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Maldonado has family in Mexico, but he grew up in the tiny town of West Liberty, Iowa (population: 3,800), according to the warrant application. Among the cases Besser highlighted was the seizure of 114 pounds of pure fentanyl in June enough, he said, to kill more than 25 million people. Of the 107,622 fatal overdoses reported in 2021, 71,238, or 66%, involved fentanyl. SALT LAKE CITY Fifteen out of 26 people indicted in a massive 2021 Utah drug bust are serving a collective 97 years in prison and facing a total of 55 years of supervised release, federal court records show. In exchange, prosecutors dropped three additional drug and money laundering charges. Massive meth bust by police has wide-ranging impacts on Winnipeg: advocates. A search of his bedroom turned up more than 21 grams of marijuana in 23 bags, along with a scale, the paper reported. Vandergrift, PA 15690. Get 24/7 Text Support For Addiction Questions. West Covinas eight-officer detail since 1986 has placed $2.6 million into the coffers of the city of 92,000, and its claims for another $3.4 million are being processed. Aside from their reliance on officers with checkered pasts, the efficacy of buy-busts is up for debate. The 10 individuals are now facing a variety of charges related to drug trafficking. How did arrests more than 40 miles away tie in to Simi Valley? Numbers displayed on Rehablist.org may route to third party answering services. Despite the potential profit, such investigations have little appeal to many police departments. A major New York City drug trafficker and 12 others were nabbed in a citywide, multi-agency drug bust following a year-long investigation into narcotics and gun trafficking in Brooklyn and Queens . Couple sues Pasadena fertility clinic after baby is born with stomach-cancer gene, Legislators propose changes to Californias conservatorship law, Before and after photos from space show storms effect on California reservoirs, Dramatic before and after photos from space show epic snow blanketing SoCal mountains, Yet more rain expected to hit California in March. The law not only put up for grabs property used directly in a crime, such as cars that transported cocaine, but also any assets bought with illegal proceeds, such as homes or yachts. Speak to a recovery counselor 24 hours a day about treatment options. Officials were hesitant to detail how they got on the case, other than to say they were following a tip from someone caught in an earlier investigation. We are not asleep at the wheel, Besser said. Rehab can be an entirely new experience. Contributors, sponsors, producers, editors and authors have no responsibility, obligation or liability to any entity or person for any possible adverse consequence, damage or loss that occurs directly or indirectly because of information found on this website. Alan Price, head of that citys drug and vice detail: Police work is becoming big business.. To some critics, however, the practice is turning police officers into bounty hunters. Trujillo was sentenced on Aug. 3, 2022, to seven years in prison and five years of supervised release. The totals cover cash and property disbursed through Dec. 31, 1987. Mario "Grump" Alberto Lovato, of Salt Lake City, was also charged with two counts of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, and prosecutors also dropped one charge when he pleaded guilty to the other in March 2022. He's scheduled for sentencing on April 5, with an expected sentence of 10 to 12 years in prison. A fentanyl courier moving enough to kill millions got busted, then slipped the DEA. Learn more about what this means, Recovery Centers of America at Monroeville, Community Counseling Center of Ashtabula County, Gateway Rehabilitation Center - Squirrel Hill, Neil Kennedy Recovery Center - Austintown, CAReS (Council on Addiction Recovery Services, Inc.), Greenbriar Treatment Center Squirrel Hill, Mon Yough Community Services Addiction Trt and Intervention Servs, Pyramid Healthcare Pittsburgh Outpatient Treatment Center, Greenbriar Treatment Center Robinson Township, Greenbriar Treatment Center - North Strabane, Greenbriar Treatment Center North Strabane, Outside in School of Experiential Education, Turning Point Treatment Center Outpatient Services, Greenbriar Treatment Center - Lighthouse For Women, Pyramid Healthcare Altoona Outpatient Treatment Center, Valley Healthcare System New Beginnings Prg for Women, United Summit Center Bob Mays Recovery Center, Pyramid Healthcare Erie Outpatient Treatment Center, Council on Addiction Recovery Services Westons Manor, New Directions Inc Female Residential/Nancy Hanna House. If we can knock those dealers down, seize their dope and assets and put them out of business, its a twofold feather in our cap.. That almost happened when Fullerton detectives followed a suspect to an expensive home in a secluded West Covina neighborhood, and did not have time to contact local police. Moore was arraigned by District Judge Cheryl Peck Yakopec. Salt Lake City resident David "Droops" Soto-Acosta pleaded guilty in August 2021 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. We had been working the principal violator for six weeks, we had the search warrant in hand and we knew everything there was to know about the violator, Marsden said. He described it as the largest fentanyl bust on a U.S. highway in history. However, she was admitted to the Utah Alternatives to Conviction Track, which offers a mix of treatment and sanction alternatives designed to address the underlying causes of criminal behavior. But some drug users are now seeking out fentanyl for its intense high. Learn more about how rehab works. If Ive got all these people calling me up complaining about dope dealers and my crew is 20 miles away on a case that has nothing to do with Pasadena, how am I going to explain that? Women seeking rehabilitation in a female environment may be interested in women-only rehab centers in Vandergrift, PA. *. But a hearing in U.S. District Court is required when the property is worth more than $100,000, whenever real estate is involved, or when someone claims legitimate ownership. Joseph "Qujo" Raymond Trujillo, of West Valley City, was sentenced on Nov. 8, 2022, to 10 years in prison and four years of supervised release. Under the law, the agencies would split any confiscated assets based on the resources they contributed to the investigation. Photo of some of the seized items from Brandons largest drug bust. - Additional charges and more defendants have been added to two federal indictments that now charge a total of 21 defendants for their roles in separate conspiracies to distribute heroin and fentanyl in the Springfield, Mo., area, resulting in the overdose deaths of at least two people. ARC Manor is a nonprofit agency that has helped chemically-dependant individuals for 30 years in the prevention, education, intervention, and treatment of abuse and addiction related to alcohol and dr. We support you or a loved with opioid addiction to recover at AppleGate Recovery in Monroeville, PA. As an outpatient medication-assisted treatment center specializing in buprenorphine or Suboxone, Christian Drug Rehab Helpline is a rehabilitation center for people linked with drug and substance abuse. Los Angeles police Department for sentencing on April 5, with an expected sentence of to. 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